Intense footage has captured two elephants locked in a fierce battle for dominance, with the clash leaving both animals injured and one with a broken tusk.
A safari group in Botswana’s Okavango Delta witnessed the dramatic encounter in Duba Plains in early November.
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as the two massive elephants emerged from the bush, they circled each other, tusks clashing and dust rising with each stomp.
Tourist Kathryn Bakken, from Los Angeles, caught the extraordinary moments on camera while visiting Botswana with her husband, Chad.
Kathryn, who works in entertainment advertising, described the tense battle: “The elephants would clash for a few minutes, then pause, showing off their strength by mock-charging or pushing against trees and bushes.”
She explained that this display continued for over an hour, with their guide noting that such fights can last all day and sometimes end fatally.
Kathryn only felt fear when one of the elephants broke away from the fight and briefly approached their vehicle before returning to his opponent.
“There was a real sense of danger when they got close,” she said. “Being near animals as large as houses, fighting with such intensity, was humbling and awe-inspiring.”
Although it was thrilling to witness, Kathryn found the encounter bittersweet. “I didn’t want to see either of them hurt, let alone die,” she admitted.
“But this was natural behavior, not like hunting or poaching, and you try to accept the raw power of nature.”
Reflecting on her experience, Kathryn shared how deeply moving it was to observe elephants in their natural environment.
“Seeing these magnificent creatures in the wild from the safety of a jeep lets you connect with them in a way that photos or videos alone cannot capture. For me, visiting Africa was a chance to combine my love of animals, photography, and travel into one unforgettable experience.”
Read more Elephant News.